Deepak Chopra Presents India Authentic Volume 1: The Book Of Shiva

This series is a departure from your standard typical comic storyline, and it works fantasticly. The stories and mythology have a timeless,classic appeal that adults and young readers will love. I higly reccomend this book for readers of multiple comics titles- take a breath and relax.

I don't know what to say about "The Book of Shiva", other than I am renewing my love to Shiva. I mean, I love and adhere to all aspects of the Trinity, and I bow to the power of Vishnu to preserve the world. But Lord Shiva... I don't know. There's something within that Hermit of Kailash that amazes me. Perhaps His matted hair, from which Mother Gangga flows. Perhaps His hermit stage. Not His snake... not His snake...

But one thing for sure that makes me admire Shiva: His love to Lady Uma/Parvati. So beautiful, so sweet... A while ago, I wept the first time I learned that He too was broken hearted when Sati died. Now, after reading the story again here, I was crushed again. Shiva is the God who knows pain of separation. And the way Shiva expressed His feelings as He watched the All-Mother Uma turned into Kali: "It pained me to see my Uma like this. I wept when she howled like a wild beast... and turned on the blood-spawns."

Kudos to Saurav Mohapatra's script and Deepak Chopra's ideas. I really love the painting-like arts inside of the book - Tayade, Singh, and Subramanian did amazing works. My favourite part was when Shiva stopped the enraging Kali: "Uma, this cannot be. You must fight her." And then, the most beautiful painting, as He holds Uma's unconscious form and said: "The Sleeper slumbered again. For it was Uma who opened her eyes. Perhaps it was the fatigue of battle that quelled the primal will. Perhaps it was the power of the All-Mother. But sometimes I like to think...maybe... Just maybe... it was me."

Sweet, romantic Shiva...

My only nitpick is that Shiva was shown smiling only in 1-2 panels, particularly when Uma was around. I mean, yes - Shiva has the dark Rudra side, the destructive side. But He also has His sweet, beautiful side. The Dance of Life, as the Nataraj dances it, is danced with love. His love: sweet, tender, beautiful love. Such spirit is not really shown here, hence might mislead new readers or those who are not familiar with the Vedic tradition, that Shiva is the all-angry God who destroys everything.

Personally, I would rather have the cover depicting the benevolent Shiva, He who smiles peacefully as He watches the world from the top of Kailash. But I understand why from the sale point of view, the artists and creator preferred the scarier form of Shiva. Here's the hope for the second volume, where Shiva is depicted with gentler smile, as sweet and gentle as He gazes lovingly at Lady Parvati.

This comic book is great. I love mythology and this book proved to be good at teaching some legends. The story of the Gods is well written, and the illustrations are great. In fact, I have ordered the following one, and pre-ordered the third one!!!

I heard about this comic series produced by deepak's son on tv and ordered the comic within minutes.Well written and awesome artwork,which complement each other perfectly.They should make a whole series and then
creat a coffee table artbook just perrrrfect!

I didn't know about this graphic novel series until Deepak Chopra mentioned his colaboration with his son during his Iconoclast interview with Mike Meyers.
Easy to follow storyline makes it easy to understand the basics about some of the Hindu Gods. If you have any interest in learning about Shiva, Ganesh, Shiva, Kali, Uma and many more this is a great start. Also, the illustrations and colors look outstanding on the glossy paper.